Two-piece sheet metal wrench



Nov. 9, 1954 c. P. AYERS TWO-PIECE SHEET METAL WRENCH Filed March 17, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l Naw'. 9, 195@ Q. P. MERS TWO-PIECE SHEET METAL WRENCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1.7, 1954 m T m m Nov. 9, 1954 c. P. AYERS Two-PIECE SHEET METAL WRENCH Filed March 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR.

United States Patent` C TWO-PIECE SHEET METAL WRENCH;

Carl P. Ayers, Batavia, Ill.-

Application March 17, 1954,= SerialNo. 416,857

9 Claims.- (ClQ {i1- 130)` The present invention relates to wrenches, more partieularly to wrenches of the type commonly called monkey wrenches, and the invention has for an object the-provision of a new and improved Wrench of this type-which is extremely simple in construction and may be manufactured at low cost by mass production-methods.y Specically, the present application is a continuation-in part of my copending application Serial No. 347,911, led April 10, 1953, now abandoned.

While many arrangements have--been-heretofore-proposed for the construction of monkey wrenches, these arrangements have in general-been directed to the provision of relatively heavy cast parts which must-be vmachined to close-tolerances to provide a suitable device, Furthermore, these arrangementsA havenecessarily involved a large number of parts, eachI requiring a separate machining operation with the .result that the linal cost, as well as the cost of materiale-of theseiarrangements is relatively highl and they dof-notdendthemselves' to mass production techniques.

Accordingly, it is anothery object ofthe present invention to provide a new andimprovedinonkey wrench which is of simplied two-piece' constructionfisv constructed entirely of lowV cost, light weight-metal stampings and yet is of rugged construction and is reliable in its operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved monkeyfwrench of sheet metal construction wherein only two metal-stampings are employed while providing adjustable interlocking means for holding thejaws ofthe wrench-at any desiredspac- 111g.`

lt is a still further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved monkey wrench" of' sheet metal construction which is of simplin'ed two-piece coi1-v struction and which is particularly suited foruse with nuts of relatively small size.

Briey, in accordance with one aspect of theinvention, there is provided a sheet metal-lower jawmember having lower side wall portions dening a hollow `handle portion and having upper side wallportionsterminating tion, the interlocking means being disengageable by rela-- tive lateral movement ofthe members, and cooperating means on `the contiguous-side-wallsof the lupperA and lower jawfmembers are provided for holding the members in nterlocked position, these-side walls being suiciently resilient to permit adjustment ofthe interlocking means. According to a further aspect of -the invention, the upper and lower jaw surfaces are arranged at an angle to the handle Vof the wrench and the-interlocking means is positioned below the lowerjaw-surface' to` permit nuts` of yrelatively small size tobe held-by the-wrench.

The'` invention, both asl toits-organization andmethod off-operationytogether with further-objects and' advan- Cooperating, interlocking means. on the upper Patented Nov. 9, 1954 ICC 22 tages thereof, will best be understood-by reference-'t o-thev following specification taken inconnection withthe ae companying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a wrenchembodyingthe features of thepresent invention,v a-portion thereofl being broken .away to showl thee interlocking: meansy thereof;

Fig. 2 is av front ,elevational-view-partly'in-sectioi'i; of the wrench of Fig. l-showing themanner in whieh the parts are assembled;

Fig. 3 is al left side elevational-view of thewrench-"- of Fig. 1;

Fig, 4 isa sectionalv elevationalview takenalong-the line 4-'4 of Fig.l 3;`

Fig. 5 is a `crosssectional-view takenalon'gf-theline- 5-5 of Fig.y 4 assuming that Fig.- 4 shows-the complete structure;

Fig.. 6 is aviewsimilar to-Fig.-5taken alongnthe-li-ne- 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7` is a perspective viewof Ya wrench-showing an alternative embodiment-of -the present invention,-`

Fig. 8 is^a front elevationalview similarto Fig-.--2- partly in section, of the wrench of Fig-,7 showing-.the` manner in which the parts are assembled;

Fig. 9 is a right side elevational View ofthe-wrench of Fig.. 7;

Fig. l0 is av partial sectional' View' taken along: theline 10-10of Fig.A 9;v l l Fig.A 1l is affront' elevationalview of an-,al-ternati-veY embodiment ofthe invention wherein the jaws of the wrench are arranged at ran angle to thel handleportion thereof;`

Fig. 12 is a sectionalview similar-to-Fig;l 1l and-'showingthe manner. in which the partsare assembled;-f

Fig. 13 is va left` side viewof the wrenchshown inV Fig; 1l; and' Figs. l4'and` 15 are sectionalviews taken-along the-lines 14'-14 and 15-15, respectively 'of-Fig.' ll.-

Referring.V now to the drawings,l and moreparticu#V larly-to-Figs. l to-6`, inclusive, thereof, thewimp'roved monkey wrench of the present invention -is therein-il'lus-v' trated as comprising a lower jaw member, indicated generallyV at 12,' andV an upperl jaw'mernber, indicatedgenerally at 13. The members 12 and 13are both -ofsheet;

metal construction and` may be formed by suitable metal# stampingor drawingoperations. Thus, thelower; jaw member comprises thelower side-Wall portions -14,- 1 5,16.- and 17 which define a hollow handle portion-which -may be knurled, as indicated at 18, to provide asuitable-l gripping surface. Thelower jaw memberlZ also-comf prises'the upper side wallportions-19-and 20 which extend generally at-rightangles to the-hollow-handle; portion and terminate in overlapping topwall portions-211' and 22. Thus, as shown in Figs. `4 'and 6,' side wall-pori tion 19 is turned laterallyr to formthe-topz wall-portiom 21, andthe side wallV portion Zllis turned-laterally over the. portion 21 to provide the topwall portion 2-2.-,.theH upper surface of the top wall portion--22--acting.-fasI ailower`jaw surface of the wrench. The end portion23 ofthe side wall portion 19 and the end wall portion 24F of the side wall portion 2liv areV alsoforrnedf'in-ovenlapping relation, as vis best illustrated in Fig-4,' so-thata rigid, boXlike construction Vis provided for the-jawf'portion of the lower jaw member 12'.A It -willf be evidenwhat f' the lower jaw' member 12 mayf be readilyy formed from1 sheetV metal by a seriesof suitable stamping.-operations,

as will be well understood by those Vskilled in-V theiv-ar-ts It will also be understood'that the overlapping-portion of the member 13 may bersecured together-by anyi-suit` able meanssuchasspot welding, or the like,---so-that'= a rugged jaw construction is provided.

The'upper jaw member 13 of the wrench comprises:

the lower side wall portions 30,'31 and SZVWh-ichdene ati-y overlapping relation so that a boxlike structureiisfprordent that the member 13 may be formed by a suitable compound action die for deep drawn steel as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the end portions 37 and 38 being secured together by a suitable spot welding operation or the like.

In order to permit assembly of the upper and lower jaw members 12 and 13 into a complete wrench unit, the lower jaw member 12 is provided with an aperture 40, in the upper corner thereof adjacent the jaw portion 22, which is sufficiently wide to permit the shank portion 30 of the upper jaw member to be inserted thereinto. The side wall portion 17 of the hollow handle portion 1s also of relatively short length so as to define the aperture 41 which permits the shank portion to extend through the hollow handle portion of the member 12 and to be laterally adjusted relative thereto.

For the purpose of providing additional strength for the lower jaw member, the side wall portions thereof are provided with elongated ridges which function to stiffen the side wall portions of this member. More particularly, the side wall portions 19 and 20 of the member 12 are provided with the stiiening ridges 47 and 48 which provide additional strength for the lower jaw portion of the member 12.

In order to provide means for holding the jaw portions 22 and 35 in adjustable spaced relation, there is provided cooperating interlocking means on the upper and lower jaw members 12 and 13 which function to hold the jaws in any desired spacing. More particularly, the lower jaw portion 22 is provided with a rearwardly extending projection or tongue 43 which extends into the opening 40 and is adapted to interlock with any one of a plurality of slots g4 formed in the side wall portion 32 of the member 1 In order to hold the jaw members in interlocked relation when the desired spacing between jaw members has been attained, there is provided cooperating means on the contiguous side wall portions of the upper and lower jaw members for holding these members in interlocked relationship. More particularly, the stiffening ridges 47 and 48 in the side wall portions of the member 12 are extended into the hollow handle portion of the member 12 in generally parallel relation thereto. In addition, small detents or projections 50 and 51 are provided in the side wall portions 30 and 31 of the member 13, these projections, or detents, extending outwardly being adapted to t into the lower portions of the stiffening ridges 47 and 48 when the jaw members are assembled in interlocking relation as best illustrated in Fig. 5.

Considering now the manner in which the wrench may be assembled and used, the shank portion of the mem ber 13 is iirst inserted into the top aperture'40 in the member 12, this shank portion being adapted telescopically to t within the hollow handle portion of the member 12. In so doing, the projections 50 and 51 press against the side wall portions 14 and 16 of the member 12. However, the side wall portions of the members 12 and 13 are suiciently resilient to permit the member 13 to be inserted into the hollow handle portion of the member 12 by a force fit. The member 13 is inserted into the member 12 at an angle thereto, as illustrated in Fig. 2, until the desired spacing between the jaw surfaces is obtained, at which point the projection 43 is inserted into the corresponding one of the grooves 44 so that the members 12 and 13 are held in interlocking relationship. The shank portion member 13 is then pivoted or moved laterally relative to the member 12 by a simple gripping or squeezing of the shank portion of the member 13 into the hollow handle portion of the member 12 so that these members are parallel to each other. In this latter position, the projections 50 and 51 snap into the lower portions of the ridges 47 and 48 so that the members 12 and 13 are held in interlocked relationship with the desired spacing between the jaw surfaces thereof. If it is desired to adjust the wrench to accommodate a different size nut, the upper jaw member 13 is merely moved laterally as by pivoting about the upper edge 59 of the side wall 15, until the projection 43 is disengaged from the member 13, and the member 13 is then adjusted to the new position after which the members are moved or pivoted laterally so that the projections 50 and 51 again arranged that the rear edges of the side wall 32 are urged into engagement with the side wall 15 of the member I2 when the wrench is actually used to tighten a nut. Accordingly, the adjustment of the wrench is not disturbed during use but insteadl the leverage set up during use actually aids the interlocking action between the members 12 and 13. However, the wrench may b e readily ,broken by exerting a force in the opposite d1- rection so that adjustment of the wrench may be conveniently made.-

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to l0, inclusive, there is shown a wrench which is of generally similar sheet metal construction and corresponding elements thereof have been given vthe same reference numerals as those employed in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. Referring to this alternative embodiment, the upper and lower jaw members are interlocked by providing the rearwardly extending lugs or projections 55 and 56 on the bottom edge portions of the side walls 30 and 31 of the member 13. The side wall 15 of the member .12 is.

also provided with cooperating sets of apertures 57 and 58 which are adapted to receive the projections v55 and 56 on the member 13. With this arrangement, the shank portion of the member 13 is inserted into the top opening 40 of the member 12 in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the wrench shown in Fig. l, and the projections 55 and 56 are inserted into the corresponding apertures 57 and 58 to give the desired jaw spacing. However, in the alternative embodiment, adjustment of the jaw spacing may be made by pivoting the member 13 against the upper edge 59 of the side wall 15 by an amount suicient to remove the projections 55 and 56 from the corresponding apertures 57 and 58, after which the member 13 may be moved longitudinally relative to the member 12 until the projections 55 and 56 enter the desired set of adjusting apertures.

In some instances it may be desirable to make the ridges 47 and 48 somewhat wider than the projections 50 and 51 so as to permit sufficient lateral movement between the members 12 and 13 to accomplish the above described adjustment of the jaw spacing. With such an arrangement the projections 50 and 51 function to retain the member 13 within the hollow handle portion of the member 12, the particular adjustment of the jaw spacing being maintained by the gripping action of the operator when the wrench is not actually in use. f

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. ll to 15, inclusive, there is shown a wrench which is of generally similar sheet metal construction and is particularly suitable for use with nuts of relatively small sizes. Referring to this embodiment, the upper jaw member 70 is provided with top flange portions 71 and 72 which are secured together by a suitable spot welding operation, or the like, as indicated at 73, to provide an enclosed upper jaw for the wrench. The bottom portion of the upper member 70 is provided with indentations 74 which cooperate with grooves 75 in the. lower jaw member 76 as described in detail above in connection with the other embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figs. l1 to l5, inclusive, the upper jaw surface 77 of the upper member 70 and the lower jaw surface 78 of the bottom member 76 are positioned at an angle to the handle portion of the wrench. Furthermore, the side wall 79 of the jaw member 76 is formed in a rectangular boxlike arrangement to provide an intermediate partition wall 80 which is positioned below the jaw surface 78 and is provided with a tongue portion 81 which is adapted toV interlock4 with the openings 82 in the upper jaw member 70. The other side wall 83 of the jaw member 76 is provided with atop ange portion 84 which is secured to the top and side of the boxlike structure formed from theY side wall V79 so that` an extremely rugged and durable lower jaw arrangement is provided. By positioning the jaw surfaces 77 and 78 at an angle to the handle of the wrench and by locating the tongue 81 substantially below the lower jaw surface 78 a wrench construction is providedr which is particularly suited .for gripping nuts of small sizes. Th1s will be readily apparent when it is realized that the upper jaw member 70 pivots at a point which falls on a line perpendicular to the upper jaw surface 77, th1s perpendicular line being a substantial distance from the inside corner of the upper jaw member. As a result, there 1s no tendency for the wrench members vto open up when nuts of small sizes are held and force is applied to the lowerI jaw member 76 to tighten the nut. This @mareos isbecause the resultant forceon the upper-jaw member 7is applied, inside. the above described perpendicularline so `that this force actually assists in holding the upper and lower jaw members together instead of tending to force the membersapart. 1n otherv respectsthe: embodiment shown in Figs. ll to l5,*inclus iye, functions in a manner similar to that described in detail above to provide a wrench 'which may be adjusted to fit nuts of'standard sizes.

From the foregoing description itwll be evident that the present invention provides a monkey `wrench of sheet metal construction which isextremely simple in design and may be manufactured atlow costfby means of metal stampings which are readily produced by mass production methods. Furthermore, the two-piece construction of the wrench affords interlocking means whereby the upper and lower jaws of the wrench may be held in adjustable spaced relationship while providing suitable detent means for holding the members in the desired spacing. In addition a boxlike construction of the jaw portions of the wrench is employed to produce an extremely rugged structure while providing the simplicity and low cost of sheet metal construction.

While there have been described what are considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, comprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side walls defining a hollow handle portion and having overlapping top wall portions defining a lower jaw surface, a sheet metal upper jaw member of generally U-shaped cross section adapted telescopically to slide between the side walls of said lower jaw member into the hollow handle portion thereof, said upper jaw member having an upper right angle portion defining an upper jaw surface, and cooperating interlocking means on the contiguous edges of said upper and lowei jaw members for adjustably holding said upper and lower jaw surfaces in spaced relation.

2. A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, cornprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side wall portions defining a hollow handle portion and having upper side wall portions terminating in overlapping top wall portions which define a lower jaw surface, a sheet metal upper jaw member of generally U- shaped cross section and having an upper right angle portion defining an upper jaw surface, means defining opposed apertures in the side walls of said lower jaw member adapted to receive the lower portion of said upper jaw member, whereby said upper jaw member may be slid into the hollow handle portion of said lower jaw member, and cooperating interlocking means on said upper and lower jaw members for adjustably maintaining said upper and lower jaw surfaces in spaced relation.

3. A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, comprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side wall portions defining a hollow handle portion and having upper side wall portions terminating in overlapping top wall portions which define a lower jaw surface, a sheet metal upper jaw member of generally U-shaped cross section and having an upper right angle portion defining an upper jaw surface, means defining opposed apertures in the side walls of said lower jaw member adapted to receive the lower portion of said upper jaw member, whereby said upper jaw member may be slid into the hollow handle portion of said lower jaw member, and cooperating interlocking means on said upper and lower jaw members for adjustably maintaining said upper and lower jaw surfaces in spaced relation, said last named means comprising a projection on said top wall portions extending into said upper jaw member receiving aperture, and means defining a plurality of apertures in the opposing side wall ot' said upper jaw member for receiving said projections, whereby said upper and lower jaw surfaces may be adjustably held in spaced relation.

4. A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, comprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side wall portions defining a hollow handle portion and having upper side wall portions terminating in overlapping top wall portions which define a lower jaw sur-- face, a sheet metal upper jaw member of generally U- shapedY cross section;` and, having auf upper right, angleri portion defining an upper jaw surface; means defining;

opposedv apertures inthe, sidea walls of said lower jaw member adapted` toreceive the, lower` portion ofV said a upper jaw member, whereby saidupper jawmemblermay;

be-slid into the hollow handle portionaof said lower. jaw

memben, andv cooperating interlocking means on'said; uppeiyand-,lower jaw members for` adjustably maintain,

jaw member, and means defining a plurality of apertures:

in therear wall of said hollow. handle portion for receivinasad; projections..

5. A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, comprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side wall portions defining a hollow handle portion and having upper side wall portions terminating in overlapping top wall portions which define a lower jaw surface, a channel-shaped sheet metal upper jaw member having an upper right angle portion defining an upper jaw surface, means defining opposed apertures in the side walls of said lower jaw member adapted to receive the lower portion of said upper jaw member, cooperating means on said upper and lower jaw members for adjust-V ing the relative spacing of said upper and lower jaw surfaces, and cooperating retaining means on the contiguous side walls of said upper and lower jaw members for holding said members in adjusted position.

6. A monkey wrench, comprising a hollow sheet metal lower jaw member having a handle portion and a right angle portion defining a lower jaw, means defining an aperture in the top wall of said lower jaw member which provides access to the interior thereof, a sheet metal upper jaw member provided with a right angle portion defining an upper jaw and a lower portion adapted to extend through said aperture into the hollow handle portion of said lower jaw member, cooperating interlocking means on said upper and lower jaw members for holding said upper and lower jaws in adjustable spaced relation, said interlocking means being disengageable by relative lateral movement of said members, and cooperating means on the contiguous side walls of said upper and lower jaw members for restraining lateral relative movement of said members while permitting adjustment of said interlocking means.

7. A monkey wrench comprising a hollow sheet metal lower jaw member having a handle portion and a right angle portion defining a lower jaw, means dening an aperture in the top wall of said lower jaw member which provides access to the interior thereof, a sheet metal upper jaw member provided with a right angle portion defining an upper jaw and a lower portion adapted to extend through said aperture into the hollow handle portion of said lower jaw member, cooperating interlocking means on said uoner and lower jaw members for holding said upper and lower jaws in adjustable spaced relation, said interlocking means being disengageable by relative lateral movement of said members, and detent means on the contiguous side walls of said upper and lower jaw members for holding said member in interlocked position, said contiguous side walls being sufficiently resilient to permit displacement of said detent means during adjustment of said interlocking means.

8. A monkey wrench, comprising a hollow sheet metal lower jaw member having a handle portion and a lower jaw portion extending transversely therefrom at an angle less than ninety degrees with respect to said handle portion, means defining an aperture in the top wall of said lower jaw member which provides access to the interior thereof, a sheet metal upper jaw member provided with an upper jaw portion generally parallel to said lower jaw portion and having a shank portion adapted to extend through said aperture into the hollow handle portion of said lower jaw member, a rearwardly extending tongue on said lower member spaced below the jaw surface of said lower jaw portion and adapted to cooperate with corresponding apertures in said upper jaw member to hold said upper and lower jaws in adjustable spaced relation, said tongue being disengageable from one of said apertures by relative lateral movement of said members, and cooperating means on the contiguous side walls of said upper and lower members for restraining lateral relative movement of said members while permitting adjustment of ksaid tongue to vary the spacing of said upper and lower jaw portions.

A monkey wrench of sheet metal construction, comprising a sheet metal lower jaw member having lower side walls delning a hollow handle portion and having overlapping top wall portions defining a lower jaw surface, said lower jaw surface extending at an angle less than ninety degrees with respect to said handle portion, a sheet metal upper jaw member of generally U-shaped cross section adapted telescopically to slide between the side walls of said lower jaw member into the hollow handle portion thereof, said upper jaw member having an upper transverse portion defining an upper jaw surface generally parallel to said lower jaw surface, and co- 8 operating interlocking means on the contiguous edges of said upper and lower jaw members for adjustably holding said upper and lower jaw surfaces 1n spaced relation.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 788,300 Wilson Apr. 25, 1905 1,182,567 Ipsen May 9, 1916 1,562,083 Evans Nov. 17, 1925 1,765,165 Krosta June 17, 1930 2,443,153 Wells June 8, 1948 

